Addressing journalists at Idiroko on Wednesday, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Oladapo Afeni, attributed the sharp rise to strict enforcement of import and export regulations and improved compliance by stakeholders.
Afeni disclosed that the revenue, generated between April 1 and June 23, 2026, came from baggage assessments, auction of perishable items, Premium Motor Spirit and other charges.
Afeni disclosed that the revenue, generated between April 1 and June 23, 2026, came from baggage assessments, auction of perishable items, Premium Motor Spirit and other charges.
He noted that the command’s anti-smuggling operations also yielded significant results, with a total of 146 seizures recorded within the period under review.
The seizures, with a cumulative Duty Paid Value of N4.63bn, included 2,807 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 9,482 parcels of cannabis sativa, 62 sacks of raw marijuana, 16,525 litres of PMS, 7,642 pairs of footwear, and 2,427 smuggled pneumatic tyres.
Others were 63 sacks of foreign sugar, 73 bales of second-hand clothing, 62 bags of imported flour, 32 cartons of frozen products, 100 sachets of tramadol, and a used vehicle.
Highlighting key operations, Afeni said officers intercepted a truck conveying 2,427 smuggled tyres along the Ijebu-Ode axis on June 3, disguised with a “for sale” inscription to evade detection.
He added that another truck carrying 113 bags of foreign rice hidden beneath cement was intercepted along the Itori-Wasimi-Abeokuta road on June 16 after the driver attempted to flee and ram into patrol officers.
“The suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said.
Afeni further revealed that operatives intercepted another truck loaded with 630 bags of foreign rice along the Afamin-Igbogila axis on June 14.
He warned that the influx of smuggled goods undermines local industries and contributes to rising unemployment.
On export performance, the controller said the command recorded 20,972 metric tonnes of exports valued at N1.05bn during the period, a significant leap from zero export activity recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
He listed major export commodities to include white talc, crushed thermal coal and compressed natural gas.
Afeni also disclosed that, in collaboration with other security agencies and Beninese counterparts, the command carried out joint border patrols targeting criminal hideouts along the Idiroko-Igolo corridor in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.
As part of inter-agency collaboration, the command handed over 6,981 parcels of cannabis indica and 62 sacks of marijuana to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation.
Similarly, illicit pharmaceuticals, including 77 cartons of Analgin injections and tramadol, were transferred to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
Afeni reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining stakeholder engagement and maintaining synergy with security agencies to curb smuggling and safeguard the nation’s economy.
He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership and support, as well as officers of the command for their professionalism.
The controller urged stakeholders in the trade value chain to comply with extant regulations, warning that the command would remain uncompromising in enforcing fiscal policies and border security.
